CLASSICAL music lovers are in for a treat at 7.30pm on Sunday, May 19 when Otley Chamber Orchestra give its first public concert with new conductor Ben Frampton.

The Orchestra’s Spring Concert at Otley’s Bridge Street Church Hall on Cattle Market Street, LS21 1RW, offers an exciting and varied programme with a marked French flavour, featuring Louise Farrenc's wonderful third symphony. Farrenc was a mid-nineteenth century female composer admired by Schumann and Berlioz and this impressively energetic and satisfying symphony has become immensely popular - with good reason.

A hidden gem, it fizzes with drama. Alongside Farrenc’s symphony, the orchestra will be playing Arthur Sullivan’s sparkling overture to 'Iolanthe' and Gabriel Faure’s 'Masques and Bergamasques', a lyrically expressive orchestral suite written late in the composer’s life.

Ben Frampton became OCO’s conductor in November 2023 and is looking forward to conducting his first concert with the group. Ben comes from a family of professional orchestral musicians. As a schoolboy he played double bass in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and later at Leeds University, he conducted the University Symphony Orchestra. Last year, he was appointed Assistant Conductor for the UK premiere of Frida at the 2023 Leeds Opera Festival.

Otley Chamber Orchestra’s administrator John Restorick said: "We’re really looking forward to our first concert with Ben. Orchestra members have been putting in a lot of hard work and we’re delighted to be able to share this wonderful music with a local audience."

Tickets for the concert are £10/£5 concessions available from Otley Courthouse website https://otleycourthouse.org.uk, 01943 467466, in person at The Courthouse, Courthouse Street, LS21 3AN, or on the door on the night (when it is cash only). Children and young people under 18 get in free. Members of the orchestra are always keen to help give children and young people their first introduction to classical music.

Otley Chamber Orchestra was founded in 2009 by a small group of keen local musicians who wanted to provide an opportunity for themselves and others to enjoy orchestral music-making.

It rehearses every other Sunday night and gives one concert a year. Contact John Restorick for further information: email: otleychamberorchestra@gmail.com mobile: 07804 211632 or visit www.otleychamberorchestra.com